U.S. patent number 6,729,497 [Application Number 10/248,144] was granted by the patent office on 2004-05-04 for paintball container.
This patent grant is currently assigned to NPF Limited. Invention is credited to John Ronald Rice, Mark Andrew Walker.
United States Patent |
6,729,497 |
Rice , et al. |
May 4, 2004 |
Paintball container
Abstract
A paintball container comprises a body 12 and a lid 14. The lid
14 is hinged to the body 12 at one side, and has a tab 42 at the
other side to facilitate opening of the container. The body 12 has
a guard 26 formed on it adjacent to the tab 42 on the lid. The
guard is substantially U-shaped and bounds a recess 30 into which a
user can insert their thumb to pull up the tab 42 to release the
lid. The guard 26 prevents accidental opening of the lid, for
example when the container is being removed from a harness in which
it is being carried.
Inventors: |
Rice; John Ronald
(Staffordshire, GB), Walker; Mark Andrew
(Staffordshire, GB) |
Assignee: |
NPF Limited (Nechells,
GB)
|
Family
ID: |
26246908 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/248,144 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2002 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
|
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Dec 28, 2001 [GB] |
|
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0130999 |
Nov 19, 2002 [GB] |
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0226936 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/835; 220/833;
220/837; 220/839 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B
39/26 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F42B
39/00 (20060101); F42B 39/26 (20060101); B65D
043/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;220/827,830,831,832,833,834,835,837,838,839,840
;215/235,224,225,237 ;224/625,931 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0215756 |
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Mar 1987 |
|
EP |
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550677 |
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Jan 1943 |
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GB |
|
2252302 |
|
May 1992 |
|
GB |
|
2252302 |
|
Aug 1992 |
|
GB |
|
11-321909 |
|
Nov 1999 |
|
JP |
|
2000-168815 |
|
Jun 2000 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Newhouse; Nathan J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Vedder Price Kaufman and Kammholz,
P.C. Beiser, Esq.; Robert S.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A paintball container comprising a body of substantially
constant cross section over the length of the container, a lid, and
a hinge connecting the lid to the body, the lid being movable into
a closed position in which it is arranged to engage with the body
to close the container, wherein the container includes a release
means positioned substantially opposite the hinge to enable opening
of the container, and the body has a guard protruding laterally
therefrom, the guard being substantially opposite the hinge so
that, with the lid in the closed condition, the guard is adjacent
at least part of the release means, thereby being arranged to
direct a foreign body travelling longitudinally over the body
towards the lid past the release means to prevent unintentional
opening of the container, said container having defined therein a
recess arranged to accommodate a user's digit wherein the guard at
least partially circumscribes the recess and is sloped or curved
towards the release means to guide the user's digit into the recess
and into contact with the release means.
2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the release means is
located in the recess.
3. A container according to claim 1 comprising a catch for holding
the lid in the closed condition, wherein the release means is
constructed and arranged to release the catch.
4. A container according to claim 1 wherein the guard comprises two
side portions one on either side of the recess.
5. A container according to claim 1 wherein the lid is attached to
the body by a hinge so as to be movable to an open position, and
the container further comprises a spring arranged to urge the lid
towards the open position.
6. A container according to claim 1 wherein the guard projects from
the body at least as far as the release means.
7. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container defines a
circumferential direction, and the guard is at least as wide in the
circumferential direction as the release means.
8. A container according to claim 1 wherein the body comprises a
tubular portion and a collar and the guard is formed by the
collar.
9. A container according to claim 1 wherein the release means is
formed on the body.
10. A container according to claim 9 wherein the release means is
formed integrally with the body.
11. A container according to claim 1 wherein the release means is
formed as part of the body by means of at least one slot through
the body, the slot being arranged to allow movement of a part of
the body.
12. A container according to claim 11 wherein said part of the body
has a lip at a free end thereof, and the lid has a slot therein,
the lip being arranged to releasably engage in the slot when the
lid is in the closed position.
13. A container according to claim 12 wherein said part of the body
is resiliently deformable and is constructed and arranged to
disengage the lip from the slot upon being deformed.
14. A container according to claim 1 wherein the release means
comprises a part of the lid arranged to be engaged by the user's
digit so as to urge the lid away from the body, thereby opening the
container.
15. A container according to claim 14 wherein the release means
comprises a tab formed on the lid.
16. A container according to claim 14 wherein said part of the lid
circumscribes one side of the recess and the guard and said part of
the lid together surround the recess.
17. A container according to claim 1 wherein the guard extends, and
tapers inwardly, away from the lid when the lid is in the closed
condition.
18. A container according to claim 17 wherein the guard is
substantially U-shaped.
19. A container according to claim 18 wherein the body has an open
end arranged to be closed by the lid, and the guard has two arms
which terminate at the open end of the container.
20. A container according to claim 1 wherein the body has a rim and
the lid has a lip thereon which is arranged to frictionally engage
the rim when the lid is in the closed position so as to retain the
lid in the closed position.
21. A container according to claim 20 wherein the lip and rim are
arranged to snap fittingly engage so as to selectively retain the
lid in the closed position.
22. A paintball container comprising a body of substantially
constant diameter over the length of the container, a lid
selectively securable and releasable from a closed position to an
open position on the body, release means operable to release the
lid from the body to allow opening of the container, and a guard,
the guard being aligned with the release means and projecting
laterally from the container at least as far as the release means
so as to guard the release means from unintentional operation,
wherein the container has a recess defined therein which is
arranged to accommodate a user's digit, and the guard at least
partially circumscribes the recess and is sloped or curved toward
the release means to guide the user's digit into contact with the
release means.
23. A container according to claim 22 further comprising a spring
arranged to urge the lid towards the open position.
24. A container according to claim 22 wherein the release means is
formed integrally with the body.
25. A container according to claim 22 wherein the release means is
formed on the body.
26. A container according to claim 22 wherein the release means is
formed on the lid.
27. A container according to claim 22 wherein the guard is formed
on the body.
28. A container according to claim 22 wherein the guard is formed
on the lid.
29. A container according to claim 22 wherein the body comprises a
tubular portion and a collar and the guard is formed by the
collar.
30. A container according to claim 22 wherein the container defines
a circumferential direction, the release means extends in the
circumferential direction, and the guard is aligned with the
release means in the circumferential direction.
31. A container according to claim 30 wherein the release means has
an extent in the circumferential direction and the guard extends
over substantially the whole of the circumferential extent of the
release means.
32. A container according to claim 31 wherein the guard projects
from the container at least as far as the release means over
substantially the whole of the circumferential extent of the
release means.
33. A container according to claim 32 wherein the container has an
open end arranged to be closed by the lid and a closed end opposite
the open end, and the guard is located adjacent the release means
between the release member and the closed end.
34. A container according to claim 22 wherein the release means
comprises a part of the lid arranged to be engaged by the user's
digit so as to urge the lid away from the body, to open the
container when selectively engaged by the user's digit.
35. A container according to claim 34 wherein the release means
comprises a tab formed on the lid.
36. A container according to claim 34 wherein said part of the lid
bounds one side of the recess and the guard and said part of the
lid together completely surround the recess.
37. A container according to claim 22 wherein the recess has a
length and a breadth commensurate with the tip of the user's digit
whereby the tip of the digit can rest comfortably in the
recess.
38. A container according to claim 37 wherein the guard comprises
two side portions, one on either side of the recess.
39. A container according to claim 22 wherein the release means is
formed as part of the body by means of at least one slot through
the body, the slot being arranged to allow movement of said part of
the body.
40. A container according to claim 39 wherein said part of the body
has a lip at a free end thereof, and the lid has a slot therein,
the lip being arranged to releasably engage in the slot when the
lid is in the closed condition.
41. A container according to claim 40 wherein said part of the body
is resiliently deformable and is arranged to disengage the lip from
the slot upon being deformed.
42. A container according to claim 22 further comprising a second
release means operable to release the lid from the body so as to
allow selective opening of the container, and a second guard, the
second guard being aligned with the second release means and
projecting from the container at least as far as the second release
means so as to guard the release means from unintentional
operation.
43. A container according to claim 42 wherein the two release means
are arranged on opposite sides of the container to each other.
44. A container according to claim 42 further comprising a hinge
connecting the lid to the body, wherein the two release means are
equally spaced from the hinge.
45. A paintball container comprising a body, a lid selectively
securable and releasable from a closed position to an open position
on the body, a release member operable to release the lid from the
body to allow opening of the container, and a guard, the guard at
least partially defining a recess arranged to accommodate a user's
digit and is sloped or curved towards the release means, and the
release member being located within the recess whereby the guard is
arranged to guide the user's digit into contact with the release
member, while at the same time preventing inadvertent operation of
the release member.
46. A paintball container according to claim 45 wherein the body is
of substantially constant cross section over the length of the
container.
47. A paintball container comprising a body of substantially
constant cross section over the length of the container, a lid, and
a hinge connecting the lid to the body, the lid being movable into
a closed position in which it is arranged to engage with the body
to close the container, wherein the container includes a release
means positioned substantially opposite the hinge to enable opening
of the container, and the body has a guard protruding laterally
therefrom, the guard being substantially opposite the hinge so
that, with the lid in the closed condition, the guard is adjacent
at least part of the release means, thereby being arranged to
direct a foreign body travelling longitudinally over the body
towards the lid past the release means to prevent unintentional
opening of the container, said container having defined therein a
recess arranged to accommodate a user's digit wherein the guard at
least partially circumscribes the recess and is substantially
U-shaped to guide the user's digit into the recess and into contact
with the release means.
48. A paintball container comprising a body of substantially
constant cross section over the length of the container, a lid, and
a hinge connecting the lid to the body, the lid being movable into
a closed position in which it is arranged to engage with the body
to close the container, wherein the container includes a release
means positioned substantially opposite the hinge to enable opening
of the container, and the body has a guard protruding laterally
therefrom, the guard being substantially opposite the hinge so
that, with the lid in the closed condition, the guard is adjacent
at least part of the release means, thereby being arranged to
direct a foreign body traveling longitudinally over the body
towards the lid past the release means to prevent unintentional
opening of the container, said container having defined therein a
recess arranged to accommodate a user's digit wherein the guard at
least partially circumscribes the recess and is sloped or curved
towards the release means to guide the user's digit into the recess
and into contact with the release means, wherein the part of the
lid arranged to be engaged by the user's digit circumscribes one
side of the recess and the guard and the part of the lid arranged
to be engaged by the user's digit together surround the recess; and
wherein the recess is substantially U-shaped having a top end at
least partially circumscribed by the part of the lid arranged to be
engaged by the user's digit and a curved part at least partially
circumscribed by the guard.
49. A paintball container comprising a body of substantially
constant diameter over the length of the container, a lid
selectively securable and releasable from a closed position to an
open position on the body, release means operable to release the
lid from the body to allow opening of the container, and a guard,
the guard being aligned with the release means and projecting
laterally from the container at least as far as the release means
so as to guard the release means from unintentional operation,
wherein the container has a recess defined therein which is
arranged to accommodate a user's digit, and the guard at least
partially circumscribes the recess thereby to guide the user's
digit into contact with the release means; wherein the container
defines a circumferential direction, the release means extends in
the circumferential direction, and the guard is aligned with the
release means in the circumferential direction; wherein the release
means has an extent in the circumferential direction and the guard
extends over substantially the whole of the circumferential extent
of the release means; wherein the release means comprises a part of
the lid arranged to be engaged by the user's digit so as to urge
the lid away from the body, to open the container when selectively
engaged by the user's digit; wherein said part of the lid bounds
one side of the recess and the guard and said part of the lid
together completely surround the recess; and wherein the recess is
substantially U-shaped having a top end at least partially
circumscribed by said part of the lid and a curved part at least
partially circumscribed by the guard.
50. A paintball container comprising a body of substantially
constant diameter over the length of the container, a lid
selectively securable and releasable from a closed position to an
open position on the body, release means operable to release the
lid from the body to allow opening of the container, and a guard,
the guard being aligned with the release means and projecting
laterally from the container at least as far as the release means
so as to guard the release means from unintentional operation,
wherein the container has a recess defined therein which is
arranged to accommodate a user's digit and is sloped or curved
toward the release means, and the guard at least partially
circumscribes the recess thereby to guide the user's digit into
contact with the release means.
51. A paintball container comprising a body, a lid, and a hinge
connecting the lid to the body, the lid being movable into a closed
position in which it is arranged to engage with the body to close
the container, wherein the container includes a release means
positioned substantially opposite the hinge to enable opening of
the container, and the body has a guard protruding laterally
therefrom, the guard being substantially opposite the hinge so
that, with the lid in the closed condition, the guard is adjacent
at least part of the release means, thereby being arranged to
direct a foreign body travelling longitudinally over the body
towards the lid past the release means to prevent unintentional
opening of the container, said container having defined therein a
recess arranged to accommodate a user's digit wherein the guard at
least partially circumscribes the recess and is substantially
U-shaped to guide the user's digit into the recess and into contact
with the release means.
52. A paintball container comprising a body of substantially
constant cross section over the length of the container, a lid, and
a hinge connecting the lid to the body, the lid being movable into
a closed position in which it is arranged to engage with the body
to close the container, wherein the container includes a release
means positioned substantially opposite the hinge to enable opening
of the container, and the body has a guard protruding laterally
therefrom, the guard being substantially opposite the hinge so
that, with the lid in the closed condition, the guard is adjacent
at least part of the release means, thereby being arranged to
direct a foreign body traveling longitudinally over the body
towards the lid past the release means to prevent unintentional
opening of the container, said container having defined therein a
recess arranged to accommodate a user's digit wherein the guard at
least partially circumscribes the recess and is sloped or curved
towards the release means to guide the user's digit into the recess
and into contact with the release means, wherein the part of the
lid arranged to be engaged by the user's digit circumscribes one
side of the recess and the guard and the part of the lid arranged
to be engaged by the user's digit together surround the recess; and
wherein the recess is substantially U-shaped having a top end at
least partially circumscribed by the part of the lid arranged to be
engaged by the user's digit and a curved part at least partially
circumscribed by the guard.
53. A paintball container comprising a body, a lid selectively
securable and releasable from a closed position to an open position
on the body, release means operable to release the lid from the
body to allow opening of the container, and a guard, the guard
being aligned with the release means and projecting laterally from
the container at least as far as the release means so as to guard
the release means from unintentional operation, wherein the
container has a recess defined therein which is arranged to
accommodate a user's digit, and the guard at least partially
circumscribes the recess thereby to guide the user's digit into
contact with the release means; wherein the container defines a
circumferential direction, the release means extends in the
circumferential direction, and the guard is aligned with the
release means in the circumferential direction; wherein the release
means has an extent in the circumferential direction and the guard
extends over substantially the whole of the circumferential extent
of the release means; wherein the release means comprises a part of
the lid arranged to be engaged by the user's digit so as to urge
the lid away from the body, to open the container when selectively
engaged by the user's digit; wherein said part of the lid bounds
one side of the recess and the guard and said part of the lid
together completely surround the recess; and wherein the recess is
substantially U-shaped having a top end at least partially
circumscribed by said part of the lid and a curved part at least
partially circumscribed by the guard.
54. A paintball container comprising a body, a lid selectively
securable and releasable from a closed position to an open position
on the body, release means operable to release the lid from the
body to allow opening of the container, and a guard, the guard
being aligned with the release means and projecting laterally from
the container at least as far as the release means so as to guard
the release means from unintentional operation, wherein the
container has a recess defined therein which is arranged to
accommodate a user's digit and is sloped or curved toward the
release means, and the guard at least partially circumscribes the
recess thereby to guide the user's digit into contact with the
release means.
55. A paintball container comprising a body, a lid selectively
securable and releasable from a closed position to an open position
on the body, release means operable to release the lid from the
body to allow opening of the container, and a guard, the guard
being aligned with the release means and projecting laterally from
the container at least as far as the release means so as to guard
the release means from unintentional operation, wherein the
container has a recess defined therein by the guard, the guard
comprising two side portions, one on either side of the recess, the
side portions being spaced apart and projecting laterally from each
other a sufficient distance to accommodate a single digit of a user
so as to allow single digit operation of the release means, the
release means defining the upper end of the recess and enclosing
the entire upper end of the recess when the lid is in a closed
position so as to guard the release means from unintentional
operation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to paintball containers.
Current containers for paintballs typically store up to 150
paintballs and have a lid that snap fits upon a rim at an open end
of the container body. The body can be a one-piece moulding or can
be formed as a cylindrical tube with a collar around the top which
forms the top end of the body and engages with the lid. The lid has
a tab projecting from its edge to aid a player in opening the
container, typically by engaging the tab with their thumb and
pushing the lid away from the body.
Modern paintball harnesses are arranged to hold a number of such
paintball containers around a player's waist. The containers are
typically held in the harness by elastic hoops with the containers'
lids pointing towards the ground. This allows the player to grab a
container of paintballs, pull it downwards out of the harness, and
open it quickly, usually in a single movement, and usually using
only one hand because the other hand is still being used to hold
the paintball gun or marker. The harness sometimes includes an
overstrap that covers the lid and supports the container, when the
container is held in the harness, the overstrap being fastened, for
example, with Velcro. In some harnesses the containers are retained
horizontally with their upper ends pointing outwards to the
player's side.
Upon removal of the container from the harness the player's hand
tends to drive the container further into the harness prior to
removing it therefrom, even when the harness does not hold the
containers with their lids facing the ground. The tab on the lid
can catch on the harness and separating the lid from the body such
that the container is, at least partially, open. This premature
opening of the container often results in the paintballs stored in
the container being dropped onto the ground, which is clearly
undesirable.
A further problem associated with current paintball containers is
that, because the player is only using one hand, in order to open
them it is necessary to support the container, typically against
the player's body. The force necessary to open the container then
tends to push the container out of the player's grip due to the
bulky nature of the container, typically 60 mm diameter. This
problem is exacerbated by the use of protective gloves by
players.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a paintball
container that, at least partially, ameliorates at least one of the
aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is
provided a paintball container comprising a body, a lid, and a
hinge connecting the lid to the body. When the container is in a
closed condition the lid is arranged to engage with the body to
close the container. The container includes release means
positioned substantially opposite the hinge to enable opening of
the container, and the body has a guard protruding therefrom, the
guard being substantially opposite the hinge so that, with the lid
in the closed condition, the guard is adjacent at least part of the
release means, thereby being arranged to direct a foreign body
travelling longitudinally over the body towards the lid past the
release means to prevent unintentional opening of the
container.
Where the container is of a circular cross section, the release
means and the guard may be exactly diametrically opposite the
hinge, or offset from that position, preferably being in any
position up to 30.degree. to either side of diametrically opposite.
However, for the user to be able to open the container, the guard
and release member only need to be on the opposite side of the
container to the hinge. In some cases the container can include two
release means and two guards both positioned on the opposite side
of the container to the hinge.
This arrangement has an advantage over prior art arrangements, in
that the guard guides or deflects potential snags away from the
release means without them engaging the release means and thereby
opening the container and allowing any paintballs stored therein to
be expelled over the ground.
Preferably the container has defined therein a recess arranged to
accommodate a user's digit, wherein the guard, at least partially,
bounds the recess. Preferably the release member is located in the
recess. This allows easy release of the lid by the user.
The release means may be formed on the body.
Preferably the container comprises a catch for holding the lid in
the closed condition, and the release means is arranged to release
the catch. This arrangement has the additional benefit that it is
removes the necessity to push a tab upward thereby eliminating the
tendency of the container to move away from the user as they open
the container, typically with gloved hands.
Preferably the release means is formed integrally with the body.
For example, the release means may be formed as part of the body by
means of at least one slot through the body, the slot being
arranged to allow movement of said a part. Said part may have a lip
at a free end thereof, and the lid may have a slot therein, the lip
being arranged to releasably engage in the slot when the lid is in
the closed condition.
Preferably said part is resiliently deformable and is arranged to
disengage the lip from the slot upon being deformed.
Alternatively the release means may comprise a part of the lid
arranged to be engaged by the user's digit so as to urge the lid
away from the body, to open the container. For example the release
means may comprise a tab formed on the lid.
Preferably the guard extends, and tapers inwardly, away from the
lid when the lid is in the closed condition. This can help to
deflect objects away from the release means.
The present invention further provides a paintball container
comprising a body, a lid movable relative to the body to open the
container, a hinge connecting the lid to the body, and a release
means positioned substantially opposite the hinge and operable to
release the lid from the body to allow opening of the container,
wherein the container further comprises a guard, the guard being
positioned substantially opposite the hinge and arranged so as to
deflect a foreign body, travelling over the body towards the lid,
past the release means to prevent unintentional opening of the
container.
The present invention still further provides a paintball container
comprising a body, a lid movable relative to the body between a
closed position and an open position, a hinge connecting the lid to
the body, and release means positioned substantially opposite the
hinge and operable to release the lid from the body to allow
movement of the lid to the open position, wherein the container
includes a guard, the guard being located adjacent the release
means and projecting from the container at least as far as the
release means so as to guard the release means from unintentional
operation.
The present invention yet further provides a paintball container
comprising a body, a lid releasably securable in a closed position
on the body, and a release means operable to release the lid from
the body to allow opening of the container, wherein the container
includes a guard, the guard being aligned with the release means
and projecting from the container at least as far as the release
means so as to guard the release means from unintentional
operation.
The body may be a one-piece body, or it may be a two-piece body
which comprises a tubular portion and a collar. In the case of a
two-piece body, the guard may be formed by the collar.
There may be only one release means and one guard, or there may be
two or more release means.
The present invention yet further provides a method of storing a
paintball including placing the paintball in a container according
to the invention.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1a is a rear elevational view of one example of a conventional
paintball container harness; FIG. 1b is a front elevational view of
the harness of FIG. 1a;
FIGS. 2a is a front elevational view of a second example of a
conventional paintball harness, FIG. 2b is a rear elevational view
of the harness of FIG. 2a, FIG. 2c is a top view of the harness of
FIG. 2a, FIG. 2d is a top view of the harness of FIG. 2a in a
folded condition;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a paintball container
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the paintball container of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a free end of a body of the
paintball container of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section through a snap fit arrangement
between a body and a lid of the paintball container of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a hinge knuckle, incorporating a
spring loading mechanism, of the lid of the paintball container of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a body of a paintball
container according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-section through a catch arrangement
between a body and a lid of the container of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a paintball container
according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the paintball container of
FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a partial cross-section through a paintball container
according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a partial front elevational view of the container of
FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a paintball container according to a
fifth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a paintball container
according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the container of FIG.
15;
FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 15;
FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of a paintball container
according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the container of FIG.
18;
FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 18;
FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view of a paintball container
according to an eighth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the container of FIG.
21;
FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 21;
FIG. 24 is a partial perspective view of a paintball container
according to a ninth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 25 is a front elevational view of the container of FIG.
24;
FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 24;
FIG. 27 is a front elevational view of a container according to a
tenth embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 27.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, a first known design of paintball
harness A is arranged to hold a number of paintball containers B
around a player's waist. The containers B are held in the harness
by elastic hoops C with containers' lids D pointing towards the
ground. This allows the player to grab a container B of paintballs
and open it quickly, usually in a single movement. The harness
includes a releasable overstrap E for each container B that covers
lid D, when the container B is held in the harness A.
Referring to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, in a second known design of
paintball harness A1 the containers B1 are held horizontally
against the lower part of a player's back, with the harness secured
around the player's waist. The containers B1 are held with their
lids D1 pointing outwards to the side of the player, with the
overstraps E1 releasably secured over their lids D1.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 5, a paintball container according to a
first embodiment of the invention 10 comprises a body 12 and a lid
14 attached to the body by means of a hinge 15. The body 12
comprises a plain hollow, circular cylinder 16 that terminates at
one end, its closed bottom end 16A, in an outwardly convex, hollow
hemispherical dome 18 and is open at another end 16B, which forms
its top end 20. The body 12 typically has a length to diameter
ratio of approximately 4:1 and can typically accommodate between
100 and 140 paintballs. The body 12 is of constant cross section,
in this case of constant diameter, over the main part of its
length, so that it can be easily slid into and out of a
harness.
An outer surface 22 of the top end 20 of the cylinder 16 has a pair
of spaced apart hinge knuckles 24 (only one shown) projecting
therefrom adjacent the open end 20, which form part of the hinge 15
on one side of the container. Each of the knuckles 24 has a
circular aperture 25 (only one shown) therethrough along a common
axis substantially tangential to the outer surface 22. The outer
surface 22 has a substantially U-shaped smooth, curved protrusion
projecting radially therefrom and forming a guard 26 thereupon. The
guard 26 is positioned on the opposite side of the container to the
hinge, in this case diametrically opposite the hinge 15. The outer
side of the guard 26 extends at a shallow angle relative to the
surface 22. Two side portions or arms 28a, 28b, which form the
sides of the U-shaped guard 26, extend longitudinally along the
body, away from the open end 20 and the lid 14, and then converge
to form a tapered lower portion 28c. The guard 26 therefore tapers
inwardly as it extends away from the top end 20 of the
container.
A curved, inwardly concave recess 30 is formed between the arms
28a, b and the lower portion 28c of the guard 26. The recess 30 is
sized to accommodate the tip of a user's thumb. The guard 26
therefore bounds the lower end of the recess 30 which is furthest
from the lid 14. The guard 26 also extends around the sides of the
recess 30 adjacent to the lid 14.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the open top end 20 of the cylinder 16
has an annular rim 34 projecting longitudinally therefrom. The rim
34 lies flush with an inner surface 32 of the body 12 and is
narrower than the body 12. The rim 34 has an outwardly projecting
radial lip 35 thereabout, at its top edge, remote from the cylinder
16.
The lid 14 is substantially circular and has a peripheral lip 36
projecting therefrom, as can best be seen in FIG. 6. The lip 36 has
a groove 37 therein and has an inner diameter that is preferably
very similar to the external diameter of the rim 34 on the body 12.
As can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a tab 42 projects radially
from the lid 14, at a position which is diametrically opposite the
hinge 15. The tab 42 projects from the lid 14 by substantially the
same amount as the arms 28a, 28b of the guard 26 project from the
body 12. The tab 42 also extends around substantially the same
amount of arc as the arms 28a, 28b, and across the upper end of the
recess 30. Therefore, when viewed longitudinally of the container,
the guard 26 and the tab 42 are aligned in the circumferential
direction, and the guard 26 projects radially from the body at
least as far as the tab 42, over the whole of the extent of the tab
in the circumferential direction. When viewed in the longitudinal
direction the guard 26 covers the whole of the area of the tab
42.
A lid knuckle 38 projects from an edge of the lid 14 diametrically
opposite the tab 42. As shown in FIG. 7, the lid knuckle 38 has a
circular aperture 39 therethrough that opens into an open chamber
40 approximately half way through the lid knuckle 38, and the lid
knuckle 38 is sized to fit snugly between the body knuckles 24. A
coil spring 44 is located in the chamber 40, coaxially with the
aperture 39. A first free end 46 of the spring 44 rests on an inner
wall of the chamber 40 and a second free end 48 lies externally of
the lid knuckle 38.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the lid knuckle 38 lies between the
body knuckles 24 and a pin 50 passes through the respective
apertures 25, 39, the chamber 40 and the spring 44. The second free
end 38 of the spring 44 abuts the knuckle 24 adjacent the open end
20 of the body 12. Thus the lid 14 is hingedly attached to the body
12. The action of the spring results in the lid 14 being urged away
from the body 12 when the container 10 is in an open
configuration.
Referring to all of FIGS. 3 to 7, with the container 10 in a closed
configuration the lip 35 on the top of the body engages in the
groove 37 in the lid, typically as a snap fit. In the closed
configuration the guard 26 and tab 42 are adjacent each other and
present a substantially continuous smooth surface surrounding the
recess 30. The recess 30 is therefore partly bounded, on one side,
by the tab 42 and partly bounded, around the rest of its perimeter,
and in particular on the side opposite the tab 42, by the guard 26.
The guard 26 extends or projects radially outwardly from the body
12 at least as far as, and preferably further than, the tab 42. The
guard 26 is also at least as wide as, and preferably wider than,
the tab 42 in the circumferential direction around the container.
The guard 26 is positioned between the tab 42 and the closed end 18
of the container and extends over the whole of the circumferential
extension of the tab 42. Indeed over the whole of the
circumferential extension of the tab, the guard 26 projects at
least as far in the radial direction as does the tab 42. The guard
26 serves to guard the tab 42 in order to prevent accidental or
unintentional opening of the container. In particular, any body or
surface travelling longitudinally over the body towards the lid,
which might otherwise snag on the tab 42, is guided over the tab 42
by the guard 26. For example, when the container 10 is held in a
harness, such as those of FIGS. 1a and 1b or FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and
2d, then if a user is trying to pull the container 10 from the
harness with a gloved hand, he is far less likely to accidentally
open the container 10 by pulling open the lid 14.
With the container 10 in a closed configuration, a user opens the
container 10 by placing their digit, typically their thumb, in the
recess 30, engaging the tab 42 therewith. The user then pushes
against the tab 42 to overcome the frictional force between the lip
36 and the rim 34 and urge the lid 14 away from the body 12 in a
conventional manner to release the lid 14 from the body 12. When
the lid is released, it will be urged away from the body 12 towards
the open position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. It will be appreciated
that the guard also serves as a guide to help the player to feel
the correct position in which to place his thumb to open the
container. The top and bottom of the recess formed by the tab 42
and the curved portion 28c of the guard locate the users thumb in
the longitudinal direction, and the arms 28a, 28b of the guard
locate the users thumb in the circumferential direction. The arms
28a, 28b of the guard also form a channel which will guide the
players thumb along it as he moves it in an upward direction to
open the lid 14 of the container.
It will be appreciated that, if the container 10 is used on a
harness such as those shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b or FIGS. 2a to 2d, a
user can extract the container from the harness with much less risk
of accidental opening of the container than with a conventional
container, since the tab 42 is protected by the guard 26.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a paintball container 110 according to
a second embodiment of the present invention is disclosed which is
substantially similar to the first embodiment and similar parts are
accorded similar reference numerals in the one hundred series. The
body 112 has slots 154a,b therethrough at the conjunction of the
guard 126 and the recess 130. The slots 154a,b extend from the open
end 120 but do not extend all the way around the recess 130, such
that a hinge portion 156 of the body 112 remains within the recess
130 remote from the open end 120. Thus, due to the resilient nature
of the material from which the container 110 is fabricated,
typically high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene, the
portion 130 of the body 12 between the slots 154a,b defines an
integrally formed inwardly depressible, resilient catch 158.
The catch 158 has a substantially L-shaped lip 160 projecting from
its upper free end 162 adjacent the inner surface 132 of the body
112.
The lid 114 has a slot 164 in an inner surface of a peripheral lip
166 that is arranged to engage the lip 160 when the container 110
is in a closed configuration. The engagement of the lip 160 of the
catch 158 in the slot 164 holds the lid 114 shut. In this
embodiment the lip 166 and rim 168 are plain and do not snap fit
together. However in an alternative embodiment the lid 114 may snap
fit onto the body 112.
A user opens the container 110 by placing their digit, typically
their thumb, in the recess and urging the catch 158 inwards to
disengage the lip 160 from the slot 164, thereby releasing the
catch. The lid 114 is then urged away from the body 112 in the
conventional manner by means of the spring in the hinge, which is
not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 but corresponds to that in FIG. 7. In
this embodiment the guard 126 serves to guard not only the tab 142
but also the catch 158 from accidental actuation, thereby
preventing the premature opening of the container 110 with the
attendant risk of dropping the paintballs.
It will be appreciated that the lid 114 of the second embodiment
may or may not have a tab corresponding to the tab 42 of the first
embodiment. In the case where the lid 114 does not have a tab, the
lid 114 will typically be urged away from the body 112 by the
action of a spring as described hereinbefore in relation to the
first embodiment of the invention, or by the user lifting the lid
114 away. Where the lid 114 does have a tab, the lid 114 is
typically urged away from the body 112 by the spring action or by
the user engaging the tab with their digit.
In each of the first and second embodiments the body 12, 112 and
the lid 14, 114 are typically fabricated by injection, or blow,
moulding from HDPE or polypropylene. The body 12, 112 and lid 14,
114 are placed in a closed configuration and allowed to cool
together. This results in better matching of the lip and rim, thus
achieving an effective snap fit arrangement without excessive
frictional engagement therebetween. Excessive frictional engagement
between the lip and the rim results in difficulties for a user when
opening the container.
The container body may also be formed in two or more parts. FIGS.
10 and 11 show a third embodiment of the invention which is similar
to the first embodiment, corresponding components being indicated
by the same reference numerals but increased by 100. The body 112
comprises a tubular portion 112a and a collar 112b which fits round
the top of the tubular portion 112a and includes the body knuckles
124 of the hinge 115. The collar 112b protrudes from the side of
the tubular portion 112a, and has a recess 130 in it. The portion
126 of the collar around the recess 130 therefore forms the guard
126. As the lid 114 has the same diameter as the collar, the recess
130 exposes a part 142 of the underside of the main circular part
of the lid 114 which can be engaged by the users finger or thumb to
open the container, and a tab on the lid is therefore not
required.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in a fourth embodiment of the
invention the lid 214 is hinged to the body 212 by means of a hinge
215. The front of the lid 214 has a tab 242 projecting vertically
downwards from it which has a narrow flexible portion 242a at its
base. The body 212 has a cut-out 212a formed in it into which the
tab 242 fits when the lid is closed. The tab 242 also has a
horizontally extending projection 242b at its lower end which fits
into a recess 212b in the body 212, along the bottom of the cut-out
212a, to retain the lid in the closed position as shown in FIG. 12.
Also projecting downwards from the front of the lid 214, and
surrounding the tab 242, is a raised guard portion 226, having two
sides 228a, 228b and an end portion 228c. When the lid is in the
closed position the guard portion 214a rests against the outside of
the body 212, with its sides 214b, 214c adjacent the sides and of
the cutout 212a and its end portion 214d adjacent the bottom of the
cut-out 212a. The guard 226 therefore defines the sides and bottom
edge of a recess 230 in which the tab 242 is located.
In operation the user places his thumb or finger in the recess 230
and presses on the tab 242, which releases the catch formed by the
tab 242, the projection 242b and the recess 212b, thereby allowing
the lid 214 to be opened. As the lid 214 is opened, the guard 226
slides up the side of the body 212. When the lid 214 is closed with
the release catch 242, 242b, 212b engaged, the guard 226 guards the
tab 242 against unintentional depression, and hence reduces the
likelihood of unintentional opening of the container 210.
Referring to FIG. 14, in a fifth embodiment of the invention, there
are two release catches 358a, 358b, each of which is the same as
the release catch 158 described above with reference to FIGS. 6 to
9. The lid 314 is connected the body of the container 310, which is
not visible in FIG. 14, by means of a hinge 315 which is spring
loaded by means of a spring 344, and which urges the lid 314
towards an open position. The two release catches 358a, 358b are on
opposite sides of the container from each other, and equally spaced
from the hinge 315 in the circumferential direction around the lid,
both being spaced from the hinge 315 by about 90.degree..
Therefore, to release the lid 314 in this embodiment the user can
use his thumb and forefinger simultaneously on the two catches
358a, 358b to release them and allow the lid 314 to open under the
force of the spring 344.
It will be appreciated that, although described as having a spring
loaded hinge arrangement the hinge arrangement need not be spring
loaded. Indeed the container need not have a hinge arrangement, it
may have a push off lid. It will also be appreciated that although
described as being of circular cross-section the container may be
of any convenient cross-section.
Referring to FIGS. 15 to 17 a paintball container 410 according to
a sixth embodiment of the present invention is disclosed which is
similar to the second embodiment except that the guard 426 is
formed on the lid 414. The body 412 has two slots 454a, 454b formed
in it which define a catch 458 therebetween which is connected to
the rest of the body 412 by a flexible hinge portion 456. This
catch operates to secure and release the lid in similar manner to
that of FIGS. 8 and 9. The lid 414 has the guard 426 formed on it,
the guard 426 being formed as a U-shaped projection having its two
sides 428a, 428b connected to the lid 414 and a lower portion 428c
joining the two sides 428a, 428b together. The guard 426 and the
lid 414 therefore define an aperture 430 therethrough. When the lid
414 is closed, the guard is aligned with catch 458, with its sides
428a, 428b overlying the slots 454a, 454b.
To open the container 410 the user places his thumb through the
aperture 430 in the guard and depresses the catch 458 in the
direction of the arrow B in FIG. 15 to release the lid 414. He then
pulls the lid 414 open with his thumb. It will be appreciated that,
if the hinge 415 connecting the lid 414 to the body 412 is spring
loaded, the user will need to remove his thumb from the aperture
430 once the catch 458 has been released to allow the lid to move
away from the body into the open position shown in FIGS. 17 and
18.
Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20 a paintball container 510 according to
a seventh embodiment of the present invention is disclosed which is
similar to the sixth embodiment, with corresponding features
indicated by the same reference numerals increased by 100. The only
difference between the seventh embodiment and the sixth is that, in
the seventh, the body 512 is made in two parts, being formed from a
tubular portion 512a and a collar 512b. The collar 512b has the
catch 558 formed in it and the hinge 515 partly formed on it, and
the tubular portion 512a is therefore a simple tube. The lid 514 of
this embodiment is the same as that of the sixth embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 21 to 23 a paintball container 610 according to
an eighth embodiment of the present invention is disclosed which is
similar to the sixth embodiment, with corresponding features
indicated by the same reference numerals increased by 200. The only
difference between the eighth embodiment and the sixth is that, in
the eighth, the guard 626 is formed as two separate projections
628a, 628b which are tapered from their upper ends 629a, 629b,
where they are joined to the lid 614, to their lower ends 631a,
631b. The aperture 630 defined between the projections 628a, 628b
is open at its lower end. When the lid is in the closed position
the projections 628a, 628b lie against the body 612 partly
overlying the slots 654a, 654b at either side of the catch 658.
To open the lid 614, the user places his thumb through the aperture
630 and depresses the catch 658. Because the aperture is open at
its lower end, the lid can open under the force of the spring
loaded hinge 615 without the user needing to lift it up or remove
his thumb.
Referring to FIGS. 24 to 26 a paintball container 710 according to
a ninth embodiment of the present invention is disclosed which is
similar to the eighth embodiment, with corresponding features
indicated by the same reference numerals increased by 100. The only
difference between the ninth embodiment and the eighth is that, in
the ninth, the body 712 is made in two parts, being formed from a
tubular portion 712a and a collar 712b. The collar 712b has the
catch 758 formed in it and the hinge 715 partly formed on it, and
the tubular portion 712a is therefore a simple tube. The lid 714 of
this embodiment is the same as that of the sixth embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28 a paintball container 810 according to
a tenth embodiment of the present invention is disclosed which is
similar to the first embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, with
corresponding features indicated by the same reference numerals
increased by 700. The only difference between the tenth embodiment
and the first is that, in the tenth, the guard 826 is formed as two
separate projections 828a, 828b formed on the side of the body 812.
Each of the projections 828a, 828b extends vertically down the side
of the body 812. The projections 828a, 828b are tapered in the
radial direction of the container 810 from their upper ends 829a,
829b where they are widest, to their lower ends 831a, 831b where
they are narrowest. The upper ends 829a, 829b of the projections
828a, 828b are aligned with the sides 842a, 842b of the tab 842 on
the lid 814. The recess 830 is defined between the two projections
828a, 828b, which extend down either side thereof, and the tab 842
on the lid defines the upper end 830a of the recess when the lid
814 is in the closed condition.
To open the container 810 the user places a thumb or finger in the
recess 830 between the two projections 828a, 828b and pushes
against the tab 842 to lift the lid.
From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications
and variations can be effected without departing from the true
spirit and scope of the present invention. It is to be understood
that no limitations with respect to the specific embodiments is
intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to
cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall
within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *